Cameron Carr absolutely owned the Las Vegas Summer League, looking way too good for the competition and averaging 18 points per game. This kid, who hasn’t even played in an NBA game yet, is quickly becoming a massive x-factor for the Lakers, and honestly, the league isn’t ready for it.
The Youth Movement Is ON, But Carr Is Different
The Lakers went all-in on youth, grabbing players to match Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves’ age range, with Kevon Looney as the only guy over 30 on the roster. While that youth is awesome for stamina through the grueling NBA season, it also means a ton of unproven talent, especially at the back end. Adou Thiero, Zaire Williams, and Matisse Thybulle are all in that boat, but Carr stands out. He’s got the biggest contract of that unproven quartet at $3.3 million this year, making him a low-risk, high-reward gamble that could totally pay off. Imagine getting a rotation player on a bargain deal when building rosters under apron restrictions is already a nightmare!
This Kid Is a Bucket Getter and More
Before he was even rocking a Lakers jersey, people were calling it “Carr Island,” and he showed exactly why at Baylor. He averaged 18.9 points, shooting a lights-out 49.4% from the field, 37.4% from deep, and 80.1% from the free-throw line. The guy is a three-level scorer, plain and simple. What was really impressive in Summer League wasn’t just the 18 points, it was *how* he got them. He showed he can handle the ball, create his own shot, and score off-ball from the wing, which is probably his role with the main squad. His defensive game was super encouraging too, using his good size to average 0.8 blocks per game. He’s said all the right things, and if even a little bit of what we saw this summer translates, he’s absolutely finding himself a spot in that rotation as a rookie.
Carr has no NBA experience, yeah, but that’s what makes him such a wild card. No one knows his ceiling. The Lakers are betting big on this youth movement, and Carr looks like he might be the one to break through in a huge way.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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